OVNI

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: September 1997
Publisher: Phenomenon Research Association
Type: Newsletter

Policy Change Announcement

The issue begins with a significant policy change announcement due to rising printing costs, which have increased by over 25%. The Phenomenon Research Association (PRA) has been running the OVNI newsletter at a loss for six months, subsidized by the editor. To address this, the OVNI will transition from a monthly to a quarterly newsletter, expanding from twelve to twenty pages. The PRA membership fee will be reduced from £10.00 to £9.00 per annum, and monthly meetings will continue at the Royal British Legion in Derby. The exchange of newsletters with other UFO publications will also be reduced.

UFO Sightings and Reports

Derby Daylight Disc

On August 28, 1997, at 4:15 PM, Nicholas Hayler reported witnessing a white/silver cigar-shaped object over Derby city centre. He described it as much larger than a passenger plane, metallic, very bright, and travelling at an estimated 750mph. The object's edges were clearly defined, and it was not a cloud formation. Despite the bus being densely populated, only Hayler noticed the phenomenon. He estimated the object was in the NE part of the sky at a 45-degree angle. His sketch indicates a possible raised upper part and slight discoloration on the mid-section.

Derby has also had recent reports of colored lights in the sky at high altitudes. On August 25th, a Chesterfield witness reported seeing four brilliant white lights in a 'chevron' shape, similar to sightings in Arizona, with the most prominent sighting occurring on March 13th.

Do Flying Triangles Have Underwater Bases?

This article by Omar Fowler discusses the increasing reports of 'Flying Triangles' (FTs) worldwide since their first notable appearance in Missouri and Kansas in November 1980. These craft are described as huge, triangular, often well-lit, and traveling slowly and silently. Early reports included craft dropping 'satellites' with a bluish glow, and radar tracking. In Arizona, a boomerang-shaped craft was reported as "bigger than several football fields." The 'Belgian Flap' from 1989/90 saw hundreds of reports, with the SOBEPS Group assisting the Belgian Air Force. F16 interceptors were unable to match the speed and maneuverability of these FTs.

A significant event occurred on September 26, 1993, in Bakewell, Derbyshire, where a large black silent craft with lights on its corners and edges flew low over the town at 30mph. A British Airways aircraft was later 'buzzed' by a glowing triangular craft near Manchester Airport.

From December 1994 to May 1995, 52 FT incidents were recorded in and around Derby, including craft hovering and shining light beams. More recently, since 1995, the Essex UFO Research Group has reported FT craft entering and leaving the sea off the east coast near Lowestoft, with approximately 25 reports of lights seen moving underwater in the same area. This has led to speculation about undersea bases.

The article also references Larry Warren's book 'Left At East Gate,' which details the Rendlesham Forest incident and a subsequent alleged experience where Warren was taken to an underground complex near Woodbridge base, with tunnels leading to the North Sea. One exit was reportedly a mile off Lowestoft, and another near Orford Key. The feasibility of such a complex, particularly the one to Lowestoft, is questioned due to the scale of the undertaking.

'Flying Triangles' and 'Stealth' Technology

This section explores whether 'Flying Triangles' could be a result of advanced 'Stealth' technology. A recent report from July 1997 near Rugeley, Staffordshire, describes a witness ('N') hearing a noise like a high-revving engine and seeing hovering lights. Using a night vision scope, 'N' observed a black helicopter and, adjacent to it, a completely blacked-out triangular craft that reflected no light and appeared to have no visible means of support. When 'N' approached, the helicopter moved away at high speed, and the triangle followed shortly after.

Report from Santee, California U.S.A.

On August 1, 1997, Cathleen Surratt witnessed an unusual 'Flying Triangle' at Santee, California, around 9:15 PM. She described it as a winged 'V' shaped object with one red wing and one white wing, both appearing brightly lit. The object was below cloud level, made no sound, and took off suddenly and extremely fast, leaving a trail like a 'falling star'. The witness stated it was "something that wasn't of man."

Crop Circles in England 1997

This section discusses the crop circle formations in England during 1997, noting that while many were ingenious, some appeared to be man-made fakes. The formations were mainly in Wiltshire, but also reported in other counties and the Isle of Man. A notable snowflake pattern appeared near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, and a formation with twelve concentric rings appeared near Alton Barnes, created in a short time due to limited darkness.

The article suggests that while some believe crop circles are a form of communication from intelligent beings, others are convinced they are man-made hoaxes. However, the complexity of the patterns leads to speculation. The author proposes a natural phenomenon explanation: the shape of wheat and barley heads can hold a static charge, leading to electrostatic repulsion and a 'corona discharge' into the air. This interaction with a spiralling positive charge from the ionosphere could form a crop circle. Evidence cited includes reports of witnesses feeling heat from a crop circle and a porcupine being found burnt and flattened within one, indicating a burst of high-frequency energy. A local farmer also reported his mobile phone being inoperable near a crop circle.

Photographs of the 1997 formations were taken by 'Busty' Taylor.

The Evening Sky

This section, by Walter Berg, provides an astronomical overview for September 1997. It highlights the visibility of planets like Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn in the evening sky. It notes a Full Moon and total lunar eclipse on September 16th. The September equinox occurs on the 22nd. NASA's Mars Global Survey spacecraft is expected to reach Mars on September 12th. The article also touches upon the vastness of the universe, the age of the cosmos, and the loss of connection to primitive human understanding of the stars due to modern materialism.

Skywatch Diary

Carole Baker's Skywatch Diary reports on activities in Gulf Breeze, Florida. She mentions being busy with press releases and arranging television coverage for a visiting Mexican crew. Her sources indicate that not much was happening at Shoreline Park this week, with no sightings to report. She expresses hope that visiting film crews might capture UFO footage, as has happened in the past.

The diary also includes an update from Rhonda Engler regarding a sighting on July 30th, which she now places closer to 8:15 PM. The lights were observed at an elevation of 30-35 degrees, pale amber in color, and approximately the size of a thumbnail at arm's length. The lights were spaced about three fingers apart, except for a larger gap between the seventh and eighth. The witness estimated the lights were about five miles away, in the direction of Navarre.

An article from the Pensacola News Journal on September 4th is mentioned, detailing an object seen at Eglin Air Force Base. On September 2nd, multiple calls reported an object streaking across the sky and going down near Portland, Florida. Eglin AFB officials initially stated it was nothing, but Hurlburt Field deployed a C-130 search plane. Air Force Security Police and Walton County Sheriff's Office also conducted searches but found nothing. An Eglin spokesman, Maj. Matt Durham, stated that the base picked up the "disappearing object" on radar, which at one point appeared to be on the ground.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly 'Flying Triangles,' and the ongoing mystery of crop circles. The newsletter maintains a stance of investigating and reporting on these phenomena, presenting witness accounts, expert analysis, and speculative theories. There is a clear interest in the potential for advanced technology (both terrestrial and extraterrestrial) to explain some sightings, as well as a consideration of natural explanations for phenomena like crop circles. The publication also addresses the financial realities of producing a UFO newsletter and the importance of keeping members informed. The editorial tone is investigative and open to possibilities, while also grounding reports in specific details and witness testimonies.

This issue of OVNI, dated December 1st, 1997, is a magazine focused on UFO phenomena, crop circles, and related topics. It includes reports on recent crop circle formations and UFO sightings, as well as a section on prophecies and upcoming events.

Crop Circle Reports

The magazine features photographic evidence and brief descriptions of several crop circles:

• THE SQUARE: Appeared on August 2nd in Etchilhampton, UK, and is noted for containing 754 tiny rectangles.
• KOCK SNOWFLAKE: Appeared on August 8th in Alton Barnes, UK, in wheat.
• WARP DRIVE ENGINE: Appeared on August 5th in Fosbury Fort, Wilts., UK, in wheat.
• TURBINE: Appeared on August 2nd in Etchilhampton, UK, in wheat.

UFO Sightings and Phenomena

Several UFO-related incidents are detailed:

• Flying Triangle over Derby: On the night of September 17th, a flying triangle with a white light at each corner and a green light to the rear passed low and silently over Derby city. The witness was Tom Culleton.
• Triangular Object in Ohio: On Wednesday, August 20th, 1997, at 12:40 am, a woman driving along Route 53 in Hardin County, Ohio, observed a triangular-shaped object with three white lights in a triangular configuration. The sighting lasted one to two minutes as the object moved from NE to SW.
• Large FT from Worksop Area: Ace researcher Dominic Beglin reported a large flying triangle (FT) from the Worksop area, dating back to midnight on the night of September 25/26, 1992. The FT emitted a searchlight-type beam towards the ground.

Tale Enders

This section covers miscellaneous news and reports:

• Princess Diana and Nostradamus: The sudden death of Princess Diana is linked to a Nostradamus prediction found under 'Century 2, Quatrain 28'. The prophecy is interpreted as foretelling the event, with specific mention of the father of Dodi al-Fayed, Mohammed.
• Terry Walters at Staffordshire UFO Group: The psychic Terry Walters spoke at a conference in Rugeley on September 13th/14th. Other speakers included Busty Taylor, David Icke, and Omar Fowler. Walters is speculating about work to explore hidden chambers beneath the Sphinx, with a new Archaeological Director in Cairo expected to grant excavation permission.

Publications and Events

• Flying Saucer Review: A magazine for 'thinking' ufologists is advertised, available by subscription for £15.00 for four issues per year. The editor is FSR Publications Ltd., P.O. Box 162, High Wycombe, Herts. HP13 5DZ.
• Next Meeting: A meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 25th, at 8 pm at the British Legion, Allenton, Derby. The program includes an American video "Visitors From Time" featuring Jack Kasha, Marc Davenport, and Larry Bryant, plus a display of crop circle photographs by Busty Taylor. Non-members are welcome for £1.00.
• Future Meeting Dates: Dates for future meetings at the British Legion are listed as Thursday, October 23rd; Thursday, November 27th; and Thursday, December 11th.
• Next OVNI Publication: The next issue of OVNI will be published on December 1st, 1997.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to cover a wide range of UFO and paranormal topics, from physical evidence like crop circles and sightings to more speculative areas like prophecy and psychic phenomena. The editorial stance seems to be one of reporting and investigating these phenomena, encouraging reader participation through meetings and submissions. The inclusion of a Nostradamus prophecy related to a major news event suggests an interest in connecting the paranormal with current affairs. The publication also acts as a hub for local UFO groups and events, as seen with the Staffordshire UFO Group and the British Legion meetings.